EDINBURGH — “Can I just say to the media,” said Alex Salmond as he kicked off the first edition of his new chat show on Kremlin-backed channel RT, “thanks for all the publicity.”

The former first minister of Scotland's announcement of his new career move last week sparked blowback not just from his political opponents but from fellow Scottish National Party (SNP) members, who worry about appearing close to the controversial media outlet at a time when the Kremlin is allegedly interfering in national politics across the Continent.

In response, Salmond implored naysayers to tune in before passing judgment. And, to be fair, the Alex Salmond Show — which aired for the first time on RT U.K. at 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning — was a perfectly watchable half-hour of television. Salmond, an amiable enough host, interviewed barrister Helena Kennedy and former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont. His associate Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh spoke to Tory MP Crispin Blunt about LGBT rights, an obvious retort to suspicions of editorial interference from Moscow. (Salmond also read out critical tweets — many of which, it emerged later, didn't exist.)

Salmond has a devoted following, many of whom believe the often-controversial former SNP leader can do no wrong. But for others, hosting a weekly show on RT is a step too far; proof that the former first minister’s ego has finally run too far ahead of his once acute political judgment.

“He remains one of the very few talents left in British politics. He is hated by some because he is effective" — A former SNP strategist

During his quarter-century as SNP leader, Salmond was fond of quoting Robert Burns: “The mair [more] they talk, I’m kent [known] the better.” Indeed, it's safe to say his new talk-show host persona was inspired by a desire to remain in the public eye (he certainly doesn’t need the income). Since losing his seat in the House of Commons earlier this year, Salmond — who’s lived most of his adult life in the limelight — seems terrified of slipping into obscurity.

Yet what’s striking about the past week is the backlash from Salmond’s own “side” — not just former colleagues (“What the f--k is he doing?” was SNP MEP Alyn Smith’s reaction) but his protégé and successor Nicola Sturgeon. The first minister's response last Friday was carefully worded but (correctly) interpreted by the media as putting considerable distance between the Scottish government and its former leader. Although she wished the show well, Sturgeon said that had she been asked, she “would have advised against RT.”

For SNP watchers, this was a significant moment: The long-time understanding that Sturgeon and Salmond would not criticize one another in public had finally broken down, however politely. A few days later, the first minister's spokesman said it was unlikely any current Scottish government ministers would appear on Salmond’s RT show. Former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and House of Commons Speaker John Bercow also reportedly turned down invitations.

None of this matters to Salmond’s defenders, an army of (mostly online) keyboard warriors who defend anything he does with Trump-like doggedness. In a recent newspaper column, former Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill — who in 2009 released the Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds — blamed the U.K. government for not keeping his old boss busy with an important international role.

“He remains one of the very few talents left in British politics,” said a former SNP strategist. “He is hated by some because he is effective. The media landscape is changing and, with it, the grip of those he challenges. Years after leaving office, they are still talking about him and almost certainly will be for some time to come.”

Salmond may continue to provoke strong reactions, but it’s difficult to argue that someone who lost the 2014 independence referendum and his own parliamentary berth earlier this year remains as “effective” as he once was. Indeed, his behavior since he stood down as first minister in November 2014 has often been erratic and self-indulgent. Apparently impervious to criticism, he seems determined to push the boundaries of political normalcy.

While that’s fine for the party faithful, it constitutes a strategic problem for the SNP and the wider nationalist movement, as opinion polls continue to show a majority of Scots oppose both another referendum and independence.

Salmond was once a practitioner of what his advisers called “big tent” politics, presenting himself as the moderate, pragmatic leader of a movement that wanted to unite as much of Scotland as possible in favor of radical constitutional change. Salmond's latest venture — slick production values on RT U.K. aside — promises to further polarize opinion for or against the SNP's agenda. He is, after all, still the figure most closely associated with the case for Scottish independence.

Throughout his long career, Salmond has often had luck on his side. But aligning himself with what many perceive as the propaganda arm of the Russian government might be a gamble too far for the old master.

David Torrance is a political commentator and a biographer of Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond.

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Hahha

Following in the steps of farage

Posted on 11/16/17 | 4:53 PM CET

Hahha

Following in the steps of farage

Posted on 11/16/17 | 4:54 PM CET

YellowSubmarine

I see more of a parallel with the former labour MP for Glasgow Hillhead. SNP could always say he was ‘bringing the party into disrepute’ and officially disown him. Although, when he has no seat, or prospect of returning to front line politics, that may not achieve much.

Posted on 11/16/17 | 5:28 PM CET

alan

Russsian/Enlish dictionary translates salmon to ‘saemen/semen’ …… is there a subliminal there?

Posted on 11/16/17 | 9:34 PM CET

Raul

Yes, yes Russia is bad ans spies us good guys. Our intelligence agencies only fight the bad guys, but they don’t spy or try to meddle in elections in other countries… said this way it sounds stupid I know, well it is.
Remember when someone spied the communications of all Europeans including some presidents of States, that wasn’t the KGB, was it?
Stop with this naivete, please.